David Luiz set to join PSG instead of Barcelona

Paris Saint Germain are poised to beat Barcelona and Bayern Munich to Chelsea defender David Luiz in a deal that could cost the French club as much as £50m.

Whilst nothing has been finalised between the two clubs it is believed negotiations are ongoing and could be concluded within the next 48 hours.One thing that appears certain is that any deal will make Luiz the world’s most expensive defender, with the fee expected to shatter the £32m fees PSG paid for Thiago Silva and Marquinhos last summer.

Once agreement is reached between the two clubs, PSG officials are ready to fly out to Brazil – where Luiz is currently at a training camp ahead of the World Cup – to carry out a medical and finalise the deal with the player.

The French club are believed to be in a rush to complete the deal because of interest from Barca and Bayern.

However, neither the Spanish nor the German club are willing to match PSG’s offer.Whilst Chelsea are hardly short of money, it is also thought the money that the deal will bring in will help fund a move for Atletico Madrid striker Diego Costa.

The decision to let Luiz leave comes on the back of John Terry signing a one-year extension to remain at the club, with young French defender Kurt Zouma also set to arrive from Saint Etienne.